Remembering, Teaching, and the Firstborn
Exodus 13:1–12 (NASB95)
1Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2“Sanctify to Me every firstborn, the first offspring of every womb among the sons of Israel, both of man and beast; it belongs to Me.” 3Moses said to the people, “Remember this day in which you went out from Egypt, from the house of slavery; for by a powerful hand the LORD brought you out from this place. And nothing leavened shall be eaten. 4“On this day in the month of Abib, you are about to go forth. 5“It shall be when the LORD brings you to the land of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Hivite and the Jebusite, which He swore to your fathers to give you, a land flowing with milk and honey, that you shall observe this rite in this month. 6“For seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day there shall be a feast to the LORD. 7“Unleavened bread shall be eaten throughout the seven days; and nothing leavened shall be seen among you, nor shall any leaven be seen among you in all your borders. 8“You shall tell your son on that day, saying, ‘It is because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.’ 9“And it shall serve as a sign to you on your hand, and as a reminder on your forehead, that the law of the LORD may be in your mouth; for with a powerful hand the LORD brought you out of Egypt. 10“Therefore, you shall keep this ordinance at its appointed time from year to year. 11“Now when the LORD brings you to the land of the Canaanite, as He swore to you and to your fathers, and gives it to you, 12you shall devote to the LORD the first offspring of every womb, and the first offspring of every beast that you own; the males belong to the LORD.
Commentary - Remembering, Teaching, and the Firstborn
Exodus 13:1-12 brings us to a moment where God calls Israel to remember and to act. God commands Moses to consecrate every firstborn male, both human and animal, to Him. This act is not just about ritual. It is about memory and identity. God wants His people to remember that He delivered them from Egypt with a mighty hand. This theme of remembering will echo throughout the rest of Exodus. God knows that when people forget what He has done, they lose their way. Remembering is not just about looking back. It is about keeping God’s faithfulness at the center of our lives.
The firstborn held a place of honor and responsibility in Israelite families. God’s command to set apart the firstborn points forward to the New Testament, where Jesus is called the Firstborn. Paul writes that Jesus is the “firstborn of all creation” and the “firstborn from the dead.” Jesus was dedicated to the Lord’s work from the beginning. He gave Himself fully for our redemption. The pattern set in Exodus of the firstborn being set apart for God finds its fulfillment in Jesus, who is the ultimate Firstborn, given for the salvation of all who believe. These verses quietly foreshadow the gospel, showing us that God’s plan for redemption was present from the start.
God also commands His people to teach their children about these things. The Torah places a strong emphasis on passing down the story of God’s deliverance and the meaning of their faith. Fathers were to teach their firstborn, and by extension, the whole family. This was not just about facts. It was about shaping identity and faith for the next generation. Today, our culture often tries to erase or rewrite history, but the Bible insists that we must tell the truth about what God has done. Our children need to know where they come from and what God has done for His people. Accurate, honest teaching is a sacred duty.
Verse nine gives us a practical principle: “It shall serve as a sign to you on your hand, and as a reminder on your forehead, that the law of the Lord may be in your mouth.” God’s people were to keep His words close, always in mind and on their lips. For Christians today, this means being intentional about remembering God’s works. We do this through regular Bible reading, prayer, worship, and sharing testimonies of God’s faithfulness. Some write in journals, memorize Scripture, or gather with others to talk about what God has done. These habits keep our hearts anchored in God’s truth and help us live out our faith every day. What habits and spiritual rhythms do you have to help you remember what God has done for you and your family?
These verses are a call to be a people who remember, who teach, and who live with God’s words at the center of our lives. Let us be intentional about telling our story, God’s story, to our children and to each other. Let us honor Jesus, the Firstborn, by dedicating ourselves to His service. And let us build habits that keep God’s faithfulness fresh in our minds and hearts.
Blessings,
Ryan Goodnight